RM2bil lost to smuggling at KLIA Cargo terminal in 3 years
Published on: Friday, March 29, 2024
By: FMT
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said 34 civil servants have been detained after they were suspected of being linked to smuggling activities at the KLIA Cargo terminal in Sepang. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has lost around RM2 billion to smuggling activities at the KLIA Cargo terminal in Sepang over the past three years, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki.
In a Bernama report, Azam said 34 civil servants have been detained from March 11-25 after they were suspected of receiving more than RM4.7 million in bribes linked to smuggling activities at the terminal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Azam also said 231 bank accounts have been frozen as part of the anti-graft agency’s probe into smuggling at the terminal.
He said the bank accounts, which include mule accounts, contain more than RM17 million.
The Star reported that the 34 civil servants arrested were from the customs department’s import/export branch at the KLIA Cargo terminal.
The customs officers were tasked with inspecting goods and preventing smuggling and undeclared imports from entering the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Their modus operandi was rather simple. The officers, who we believe have taken money from companies and forwarding agents, will let the goods go without inspection or declarations,” said Azam in the report.
“If they do inspect, it will not be a thorough check and the goods will be allowed to leave the vicinity,” he said at a press conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
A source previously said MACC arrested 15 public officials suspected of accepting more than RM2 million in bribes from a smuggling syndicate to facilitate the smuggling of tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol and other items.”
Initial investigations found that the suspects were believed to be involved in the activities between 2017 and 2023.
The suspects were detained following a special operation conducted by MACC’s anti-money laundering division, the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia.
Several houses, luxury cars, handphones, laptops, personal computers and cash were seized during the special operation.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
